July 4, 2021

Today is July 4, 2021.  Today we celebrate our independence from the tyranny imposed on the original 13 colonies by the King of England during the 1700’s.  We celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence by those 54 men who met to commit their fortunes, property and even their lives to the cause of achieving freedom from that oppression.

It’s good and proper that we remember their sacrifices.  We need to remember the conflict that began in 1776 and how the war that was fought resulted in the development of a new nation founded on the Biblical principles of the sacredness of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without a man-made government dictating how we should live.

This country was founded as a democratic republic, which meant that our government would be a representative form of government, with each legal voter given the right to help decide who would represent their geographic area in that government.  This country was founded on the belief that our inalienable rights were given to us by our creator, not by the government.  It was founded on the belief that a free and morally upright people should be able to go about their daily lives without interference from a government that would restrict or limit their worship of their creator, ownership of property, movement from one place to another, ability to assemble, or the ability to think for themselves, or even to disagree with the decisions of that government.

This is the day we celebrate our physical freedom.  As great as our physical freedoms are, and as important to our future as a nation is the maintaining of those freedoms, there is something more important I would ask that you allow me to present to you on this 4th of July.  That which is more important involves our spiritual freedom.

The founders of this country broke away from the bondage of England through a struggle that resulted in our physical freedom.  The cornerstone of the Christian church, Jesus, who is called Messiah, brought mankind spiritual freedom through His struggle and victory over sin and its oppression that had held mankind bound in spiritual slavery. Let’s consider this spiritual freedom for a few minutes

John 8:31-36 KJVS. [31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [33] They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? [34] Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. [35] And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. [36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

The freedom Jesus describes in this passage is a spiritual freedom.  The spiritual freedom is needed because sin holds those who are bound by it just as much a slave as any chain or oppressive law ever held a physical slave.  

Spiritual slavery makes everyone who lives in sin the servant of sin.  Servants do not determine how they live.  Their master does that.  Through original sin, sin is the master of everyone born into this world.  Once a person is old enough to determine right from wrong, then sin enslaves them further when they choose sin over righteousness.

Jesus came so people could be given the choice to believe in Him and to learn the truth about how to overcome sin and be free from its domination.  When we accept His truth and place our souls into His hands, then we are set free from the bondage of sin.  Romans 6 explains this process of becoming spiritually free.

Romans 6:16-18,22-23 KJVS. [16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? [17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. [18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. [22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. [23] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we accept Jesus as Savior, we are freed from the ultimate payment that goes with serving sin.  That payment, the wages we earn when we serve sin, is spiritual death.  Spiritual death involves being eternally separated from God as we are thrown into the lake of fire that we call hell.  Make no mistake about what I am saying—Anyone who is not freed from the bondage of sin when they die physically will experience eternal separation from God in hell.  That is what they earn by living in sin.

Jesus offers eternal life with God through the acceptance of His gift of eternal life.  When we repent of our sins and ask God to forgive us, our spirits are born again to life everlasting.  This eternal life is a gift.  There is nothing we can do to earn it.  It is not payment.  It is not wages.  It is a free gift that is given to anyone who will accept Jesus through faith. Once we have been made free from sin’s domination, we should strive to maintain that freedom.

Galatians 5:1,24-25 KJVS. [1] Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. [24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

We must not allow our old nature that controlled us to use our affections or lusts to return us to slavery to sin and death.  We must set those affections and lusts aside and walk in the Spirit of Christ.  Those who used to be in bondage and became free would be foolish to allow themselves to be put back into bondage.

Our physical freedoms came at a great price, and we should always strive to maintain our freedoms.  We must not allow those freedoms to be taken from us by those who want to control the people in our society, and that would include controlling you and me.  And just as we need to do whatever is necessary to maintain our physical freedoms, we must do whatever is necessary to hold onto our spiritual freedom.  

If you do not have the spiritual freedom I’ve been talking about, today is a good day to be set free. All you have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God and place your trust in Him. Ask God to forgive your shortcomings and repent of your sins.